: a relative by marriage

Examples of in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Concerned about the prospect of having his in-laws as neighbors — and worried about his wife’s well-being — the poster took matters into his own hands. Ashley Vega, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025 If it’s not needed for the happy couple, maybe the in-laws? Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2025 Khamis said the whole family — his brother and sisters and their in-laws — went to his brother’s house in Al-Mughraqa, just south of the Netzarim corridor. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025 But, when a movie is as much of a sensation as Shrek was, that can’t be the end of the story, and the sequel, released three years later, had everyone’s favorite ogre meet his disapproving in-laws in the Hollywood-esque kingdom of Far Far Away. James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for in-law 

Word History

Etymology

mother-in-law, etc.

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in-law was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near in-law

Cite this Entry

“In-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in-law. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

in-law

noun
ˈin-ˌlȯ
: a relative by marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on in-law

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